Okay, I don’t really mean that exactly. But I want to comment on officiating and the Simon & Garfunkel song came to mind. Always looking for a hook, you understand?

Zebras — Can’t live with ‘em, can’t live without ‘em. Rim shot, please.

I’ve been watching hours of hoops over the last couple of days.( Is it my imagination or hasn’t Championship Week been more important or at least more compelling this year for some reason?) And, other than the reality that there are going to be mucho surprises in the Dance, the most noteworthy trend is the change in the way games are called these days.

The Big East has been reffed like Lions vs. Gladiators all season. Last one with a limb left, wins. Leave the blood on the floor, play on. The rest of the country is merely Extreme Fighting.

A pivotman can turn to the basket, knock the defender to the next county over. No blocking call. No charging call.

Going for a rebound, don your armor. There will be no fouls.

Drive to the hoop for a layup, no call unless you have fewer digits at the end of the play than at the beginning, or your eyeball is dangling from the socket.

Ah, but sneeze at a dribbler coming across the mid court stripe. Whistle.

Roll on the floor with the ball. Play on.

Step over the endline when tossing it in play, no biggie.

Let the Rollerball Era begin.

– Seedy K